A.O. Coker

Medical waste management in Ibadan, Nigeria: Obstacles and prospects

Quantification and characterization of medical waste generated in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in a developing African nation has been conducted to provide insights into existing waste collection and disposal approaches, so as to provide sustainable avenues for institutional policy improvement. The study, in Ibadan city, Nigeria, entailed a representative classification of nearly 400 healthcare facilities, from 11 local government areas (LGA) of Ibadan, into tertiary, secondary, primary, and diagnostic HCFs, of which, 52 HCFs were strategically selected. Primary data sources included field measurements, waste sampling and analysis and a questionnaire, while secondary information sources included public and private records from hospitals and government ministries. Results indicate secondary HCFs generate the greatest amounts of medical waste (mean of 10,238 kg/day per facility) followed by tertiary, primary and diagnostic HCFs, respectively. Characterised waste revealed that only approximately 3% was deemed infectious and highlights opportunities for composting, reuse and recycling. Furthermore, the management practices in most facilities expose patients, staff, waste handlers and the populace to unnecessary health risks. This study proffers recommendations to include (i) a need for sustained cooperation among all key actors (government, hospitals and waste managers) in implementing a safe and reliable medical waste management strategy, not only in legislation and policy formation but also particularly in its monitoring and enforcement and (ii) an obligation for each HCF to ensure a safe and hygienic system of medical waste handling, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal, with minimal risk to handlers, public health and the environment.

Mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds and anionic organic compounds in the aquatic environment: Elimination and biodegradability in the closed bottle test monitored by LC–MS/MS

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used as disinfectants, detergents and fabric softeners. Anionic detergents are one of the most widely used chemical substances. QACs and anionic surfactants can form ionic pairs. In the present study we investigated the biodegradability of QACs in the presence of different anionic surfactants. The biodegradability of three QACs, namely benzalkonium chloride (BAC), didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDMAC) and ethacridine lactate (EL), when applied as single substances and in combination with anionic surfactants such as benzene sulfonic acid (BSA), LAS, naphthalene sulfonic acid (NSA) and sodium dodecylsulfonate (SDS) was studied applying the closed bottle test (CBT) [OECD 301D, 1992. Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals. Closed bottle test. Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris] at a ratio of 1:1 (mol:mol). Biodegradation was monitored by measuring oxygen concentration in the test vessels with an oxygen electrode in accordance with international standard methods [ISO 5414, 1990. Water quality - determination of dissolved oxygen. In: German Standard Methods for the Examination of Water, Wastewater and Sludge. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, New York, Basel Cambridge]. Primary elimination of the QACs and of LAS was monitored by LC-MS/MS. There was little biodegradability of the QACs as either single compounds or in the presence of organic counter ions. The biodegradability of the organic counter ions was lower in the presence of QACs as compared to the single substances. Primary elimination of the QACs by sorption took place.

Problems and potential of mineral magnetic measurements as a soil particle size proxy

Abstract The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from the Isle of Man (British Isles) is explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil‐related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. Both χLF and χARM parameters reveal significant (p <0.05; n = 46), but relatively weak (rs = 0.297 and 0.369), associations with clay content, while χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters have no significant relationship with sand and silt content or any discrete or cumulative size fractions. Contrary to earlier research findings, this indicates that magnetic measurements are not always a suitable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specif...

Challenges of waste management in a Nigerian leper colony

Quantities and types of solid wastes generated at Ogbomosho leprosarium (Oyo State, Nigeria) have been investigated. Data collection, through waste sampling and analysis, interviews, questionnaire surveys and field observations, was conducted between August and November 2006. Results indicate a notably low mean waste generation rate of 241.5 g/h/d, which included bandages, paper, food waste, animal waste, wood ash, yard trimmings, amongst others. There is no national policy on waste handling. Domestic waste is mixed with biomedical waste without sorting. Moreover, waste‐handlers deal with waste materials by hand and without protective clothing or gloves, which needlessly exposes them to greater health risks. Similarly, primitive hygiene facilities (e.g. pit latrines, plus inadequate and intermittent water supplies) constitute a health risk to patients, staff and visitors. Recommendations include i) provision of separate waste receptacles at generation points to facilitate proper sorting and segregation; ii) adequate training and protective clothing for waste handlers; and iii) national and international action for leprosy patients housed in these ‘out of sight, out of mind’ communes.

Residents’ knowledge of waste reduction, reusing and recycling in Makurdi metropolis, Nigeria

This study focused on residents’ knowledge of solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling (3Rs) as sustainable solid waste management (SSWM) options in Makurdi metropolis, a rapidly growing urban city in the North central (middle belt region) of Nigeria. The area surveyed covered low (zone I), medium (zone II) and highdensity (zone III). Data used for this study were collected by the use of literature search, administration questionnaire (n=560), formal and informal interviews, and observational checklists. Analyses of the data revealed that > 72% of the respondents in the three environmental zones are aware of the fact that solid waste can be reused, reduced and recycled. The trouble is, merely knowing something is not, by itself, sufficient to generate beneficial outcomes. There is a need for the residents to be educated or informed on how solid waste can be reused and reduced from source. The Government needs to put uninterrupted electricity supply in place as a basic ingredient for small medium and large scale industry. The market for recyclable products should also be strengthened.

Cassava Processing Wastes: Options and Potentials for Resource Recovery in Nigeria

Agro-food processing industries are major contributors of wastes in most developing countries. With Nigeria leading in cassava food production, little attention has been paid to provide a sustainable and profit-oriented solution to the problem of solid waste resulting from cassava processing industries.

Infrastructure procurement skills gap amongst procurement personnel in Nigeria’s public sector

Purpose Procurement of public infrastructure that is fit for purpose partly depends on the competencies of procurement personnel. In many developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, there is a deficit in the quantity and quality of infrastructure and their procurement is further riddled with deficiencies in the capacity of public procuring entities. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the critical skills development needs of public personnel involved in the procurement of infrastructure in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Based on a quantitative research strategy, this study sought to address the knowledge gap through a survey of public infrastructure procurement personnel (n = 288) in different tiers of government (i.e. state and local government) and geopolitical contexts (north and south) in Nigeria. Findings Of the 45 procurement skill areas operationalised, there is need for further development in 38 of them including: computing/ICT; problem-solving; communication; decision-making; health and safety management; quality management; relationship management; team building; project monitoring and evaluation; time management and procurement planning. Originality/value A key implication of this study is for policymakers in state and local government to formulate and implement infrastructure procurement capacity development reforms that address the competency gaps of procurement personnel. Such reforms need to take into account the suitable methods for developing procurement competencies. Additionally, the procurement skill areas operationalised in this capacity assessment study could serve as a useful blueprint for studying capacity deficiencies amongst public infrastructure procurement personnel in other developing countries.

IRON AND MANGANESE LEVELS OF GROUNDWATER IN SELECTED AREAS IN IBADAN AND FEASIBLE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

The population growth in the urban centers has resulted in largeconcentrations of people, at places not apt and vulnerable to risks associatedto natural disasters. Against this background, it is essential promoting aculture of prevention of natural disasters, enhanced by the use of ICT inorder to provide solutions to emergency situations The goal: Develop aculture of prevention in the field of risk management for natural disastersmediated by technologies in ENB: Barbula I Naguanagua, Carabobo StateBolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The investigation methodology is actionresearchand the double life cycle is employed to address pedagogical issuesand incorporate them into the software development process for Web-basedlearning. The results are shown on instantiation of double life cycle on thesubject of risk management for children 5th and 6th grade as well asteachers, parents or guardians, and Carabobo Civil Protection personnel. Theapplication presented three versions: Offline installed for Canaimitas, onlineversion installed at a server in Multimedia Laboratory of the CaraboboUniversity and a mobile version. Users were trained in ICT and the virtualclassroom. Also they evaluated the products and gave us the feedback toconform the first version of the software. In conclusion, it is evident the needfor a preventive culture supported in the use of ICTs as an opportunity toraise community awareness, integrating human effort and technological andpedagogical innovation.

Comparison of labour - based/light equipment and heavy equipment-based methods of construction for a typical rural road in Nigeria

Road construction has been particularly plagued in the nineties in Nigeria due to the downward trend of the nations economy coupled with the gross devaluation of her currency. The paper reports on an investigation made to the relative advantages and disadvantages of using labor based light equipment method and heavy equipment based method to construct a rural road in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria.